Tony Parker Will Play in France ‘Nearly for Free’

As an NBA millionaire, and co-team owner of the squad he just signed with as player, Tony Parker’s tiny monthly salary in France probably won’t hurt him too much. From the Express-News (via L’Equipe): “Should the NBA’s ongoing labor standoff postpone the start of the regular season, Parker has signed to play with ASVEL Villeurbanne, the French League team of which he is part owner. Parker announced the decision, which had been telegraphed for weeks, Wednesday morning on his Twitter account. In Parker the player, Parker the general manager got quite a steal. The three-time All-Star, slated to earn $12.5 million in the NBA this season, will play for $1,995 per month in France. ‘I’ll be playing nearly for free,’ Parker told the French daily L’Equipe. ‘If I play the entire season, we’ll go for the title.’ Whether the 29-year-old Parker actually appears in an ASVEL uniform at all largely will be determined at the collective bargaining table, where NBA owners and its players union face a Monday deadline to settle their dispute before regular-season games must be canceled or delayed. If a new CBA is reached in time to save the start of the season, Parker will be obligated to remain in San Antonio for Spurs training camp.”